Perde 1
[Textpart 1]
so that I may be able to appear valiant to him; that he may keep his hands off me.
340
MERCURY
Where are you going, you that are carrying Vulcan enclosed in your hornVulcan enclosed in your horn: Volcanum in cornu. Literally, Vulcan in your horn; alluding to the horn lantern which Sosia is carrying.?
SOSIA
Why do you make that enquiry, you who are boning men’s heads with your fists?
MERCURY
Are you slave or free man?
SOSIA
Just as it suits my inclination.
MERCURY
Do you really say so?
SOSIA
I really do say so.
MERCURY
Whip-scoundrelWhip-scoundrel: Verbero. This word, as a substantive, properly means a bad slave, who had been whipped—a rascal or scoundrel. As a verb, it means I beat. Sosia chooses, for the sake of the quibble, to take it in the latter sense, and tells Mercury that he lies; meaning to say that he (Mercury) is not beating him (Sosia).!
SOSIA
Now you are telling a lie.
MERCURY
But I’ll soon make you own that I’m telling the truth.
345
SOSIA
What necessity is there for it?
345
MERCURY
Can I know whence you have set out, whose you are, or why you are come?
SOSIA
This way I’m going, and I’m the servant of my master. Are you any the wiser now?
MERCURY
I’ll this day make you be holding that foul tongue of yours.
SOSIA
You can’t; it is kept pure It is kept pure: , It is generally supposed that in these words indelicate allusion is intended; but it is not so universally agreed on what nature is. and becomingly.
MERCURY
Do you persist in chattering?
What business now have you at this house?
350
SOSIA
Aye, and what business have you?
350
MERCURY
King Creon always sets a watch every night.
SOSIA
He does right; because we were abroad, he has been protecting our house. But however, do go in now, and say that some of the family servants have arrived.
